Chapter 114. Survival Exam (7)
[Treasure No. 19. 100% Full Recovery Ticket]
'This treasure wasn't in the original.'
It must've been added after Baek A-Young joined the Academy.
"Feels like a backup life."
'...Not sure. Will it really be used like that?'
Elise looked at me with suspicion.
Honestly, I didn't think it'd be used as a backup life either. More likely we'll use it in a cave like this, tonight or tomorrow.
"Let's head out. I doubt there's anything else here."
"Yeah."
We exited the cave.
Around noon, a large helicopter began flying through the sky.
"That must be the supply drop chopper."
Now the real game begins. Treasure and boss monsters go to whoever finds them first, but supply crates fall visibly from the sky.
Which means they spark a lot of fights.
"Oh? That one's close enough to reach."
A supply crate dropped not far from our current location.
We had enough food, but supply crates contain more than just rations—they offer survival tools.
Gear like sleeping kits, cooking utensils, and training artifacts exclusive to the survival exam—all super useful.
Most importantly, scanning the crate's internal code with your smartwatch updates the survival app.
You can check the location of nearby players, monsters, or treasures.
"Elise. Let's grab that one."
"You sure? Other cadets are gonna swarm it."
"We've got this. There's two of us."
Elise and I moved quickly.
It had dropped nearby—we should see it soon...
"Ah, there it is."
I was hoping we'd get sleeping gear. Still too soon to share a tent with Elise.
Elise took the lead and opened the crate.
"...It's empty?"
"What? Someone already took it..."
Thump.
My [Combat Sense] flared up, and I instinctively created a cotton guard to my right.
Clang—!
"No fucking way. You blocked that? Thought you were hiding your mana, weren't you full of shit?"
"Look at who you're dealing with. He's just built different."
"Elise and Lee Hoyeon teamed up? That's OP as hell."
"This ain't fair~."
Four cadets jumped out from the bushes to our right.
I couldn't sense their mana—guess they got their hands on an artifact that hides presence.
Most artifacts can't block my [Mana Sensitivity], but training artifacts made for the survival test are insanely effective despite their limitations.
They might've even synced with my smartwatch somehow.
Good thing I noticed at the last second.
"That was a surprise."
"...Were you really surprised? How'd you know?"
"Just a hunch."
Elise seemed a bit embarrassed she hadn't sensed the ambush. I got ready for battle.
"God, we're unlucky."
"Still, it's 4 vs. 2. We've got a shot."
They were A-Class cadets I'd seen around. Not close, so I didn't know their names.
Four A-Class kids banding together must've thought they had this in the bag... Too bad for them.
"Guys. I'll be taking that artifact."
I locked eyes on the green wooden staff one of the girls was holding in the back.
*
"Hm, not bad."
Of course, all four got wrecked and left the island.
Who told them to pick a fight?
I checked our spoils from beating our classmates.
An artifact called [Verdant Veil]—it hides the user's presence.
Might come in handy eventually.
I stuffed the artifact in my pocket and approached the boss monster up ahead.
It was the only boss monster I knew the location of.
Monsters move around unlike treasure, so tracking them is hard.
Only the Giant Tarantula stays in one spot—inside this cave.
"Alright, let's do this~."
I hyped us up for morale, but Elise cut in.
"Hey... I'm low."
"Ah, okay. Let me top you off."
I placed my hand on her shoulder and injected mana. Doing this several times a day was annoying, but farming takes effort. Hopefully this pays off.
"All set? Let's go."
"Yeah. I'll go first."
Elise charged the tarantula, sword coated in mana.
Despite being a spider, the Giant Tarantula doesn't use webs—it attacks with its massive body and legs.
I harassed its legs with flame spears and aimed at its big eyes.
Skreeeee—!
The tarantula flailed its legs and put up a fight, but Elise alone could handle it. With me added in, it didn't stand a chance.
"Got it—oh fuck—?!"
As I approached the downed tarantula for loot, a small baby tarantula was suddenly on my arm, biting into my flesh.
I quickly shook it off and stomped it flat.
"You okay?"
Elise approached, wiping her sword.
"It stings a bit. My arm's kinda numb. Must be venom."
"Call Baek A-Young. Perfect chance."
"Do we need to? Tarantula venom just causes light paralysis. It'll wear off soon."
It'd be a waste to use it in a place like this, wouldn't it?
"You never know. Just call her."
Elise's face was... weirdly serious, like she'd be pissed if I didn't call her.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Elise]
- [Affection: 33]
- [Lust: 57]
- [Appetite: 40]
- [Fatigue: 79]
Current Status: Should I use Verdant Veil? Yeah. As long as I don't attack, it won't be noticed.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
"...Alright. Let's check the loot first."
Well, I kinda wanted to see Baek A-Young anyway. No need to overthink it.
I removed the device attached to the Giant Tarantula's back and scanned it with my smartwatch.
[Giant Tarantula Defeated! You have earned 100 points.]
"I'll send you 50 points."
"Okay."
We had agreed to always split the points evenly.
I could take more if I wanted, but since Elise's goal was ranking high, I just let her have half.
- You have received a reward for defeating a boss monster.
- You are granted one opportunity to contact someone outside.
- This opportunity is transferable.
"...What?"
A chance to contact the outside? Why give us something like this?
"Elise, wanna use it?"
"Hmm... If you're offering, sure."
"Then go ahead. I don't need it."
Who would I contact outside anyway? Professor Im Sol? Moon Surin? Maybe Liliana?
Oh, there's Baek A-Young too.
But I'll see her soon anyway, so it's fine.
"Then should I use this now?"
I moved my hand to the button labeled [Treasure No. 19. 100% Full Recovery Ticket].
"Yeah. We're in a cave, so it's a good time."
"Alright then."
When I pressed the button, a portal appeared with a popping sound.
"You okay? Take deep breaths—huh?"
Baek A-Young popped out of the portal.
"Hello, Miss Baek A-Young."
"Uh... Hello, Cadet Lee Hoyeon."
She looked confused, probably wondering why I called her when I looked totally fine.
I subtly nodded toward the drone watching us.
"Ah, Cadet Lee Hoyeon. Please take off your shirt."
She caught on immediately, using the excuse of treatment to send the drone away.
"Thanks, A-Young. You're sharp as always."
I'd never called her by name in public before, but since Elise already knew everything, I spoke freely.
"Yeah, Hoyeon—wait, huh?"
Baek A-Young tilted her head, surprised that I was acting casually even with Elise present.
"It's fine. Elise already found out about us."
"What? Seriously?!"
She was genuinely shocked.
Her eyes went wider than I'd ever seen.
Before she started imagining worse things, I continued.
"Don't worry. She's not the type to blab. Right?"
"Yup. I'll stand guard outside. You two have a good time. Oh, can you hand me Verdant Veil? I'll keep watch at the entrance."
"Oh, thanks."
Why is she being so cooperative all of a sudden?
Still, offering to hide her presence and stand guard is nice of her.
Elise actually left the cave and vanished into the bushes with her presence hidden.
Now we can relax.
"It's been a while, A-Young."
"Mhm... Haven't seen you since Saturday."
It's only been three days, but we used to meet all the time.
"Why didn't you tell me about the survival test beforehand? I could've prepared better."
I half-joked, scolding her lightly.
"S-Sorry... There was an Oath of Mana on me..."
"You think I'll accept that excuse? Come here."
"Hnnng..."
★ Heroine Status Window
[Baek A-Young]
- [Affection: 89] (+0.5)
- [Lust: 80]
- [Appetite: 30]
- [Fatigue: 35]
Current Status: I didn't think I'd get to see him this week... Hnnng I'm so happy.
At first, I tried to take care of Baek A-Young since she was the only heroine outside the Academy... but now she's the one I see most often.
I used to struggle with her pervy kinks, but now I'm starting to become a perv myself. It's kinda scary.
I pulled a chair out of my subspace pocket and sat down, spreading my legs.
"A-Young. It's been a while—say hello."
"...Hello, honey. Chu~."
Baek A-Young knelt, unzipped my pants, and licked her lips while staring hungrily at my half-erect dick.
...She's not calling it honey, right?
*
Elise had left Baek A-Young and Lee Hoyeon alone inside the cave and came outside.
She activated the contact opportunity she received from Lee Hoyeon on her smartwatch.
[Limit: 1 person. Duration: 5 minutes. The Academy does not record or monitor this call. However, if the call is found to impact the exam, strict penalties will follow.]
A warning popped up, then the contact list. Elise tapped on Sebas Chan.
"Sebas Chan. Can you hear me?"
- My lady?! Aren't you in the middle of the survival exam?
He sounded flustered by the sudden call.
"Yeah. I got a chance to contact the outside. Sorry to disturb your vacation."
Sebas Chan had just gotten a week off, and I felt a little bad, but this was urgent.
- No, it's fine. What's the matter? Why are you calling during the exam?
"When you investigated Lee Hoyeon's relationships... did you collect photos or videos as evidence?"
Elise lowered her voice and asked cautiously.
- Photos or videos...? We have some. Pictures of him with Cadets Lucy and Lumi at a cafe, another entering an orphanage with Saint Baek A-Young...
"No, I mean... explicit photos? Any sexual or physical contact?"
Elise felt irritated for the first time with Sebas Chan.
Why make her say it out loud? Obviously that's what she meant.
- We don't have anything like that. Direct footage is too risky...
"...I've had contact with Lee Hoyeon, and I need leverage. Could you get those kinds of photos? Or better, a video. The more explicit and longer, the better."
- Uh... That might be difficult. His barrier magic is strong, and getting footage would require staying nearby for several minutes...
"Got it. If it's beyond your ability, I'll find another way."
- ...I'll find a way to do it.
Smirk.
Elise knew how to manipulate the pride of a once-famous pro.
"Alright. But don't push yourself too hard."
- Don't worry. I'll have everything ready before you return.
"Thanks, Sebas Chan."
beep—
The call ended as time ran out.
'...They're not done yet, right?'
Elise didn't have much sexual experience, so she had no idea how long it typically lasted.
In a rush, she activated Verdant Veil to erase her presence and began sneaking back into the cave, hugging the wall.
Gulp.
The only sound left outside was the soft gulp of her swallowing.